The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora award was first initiated in 2012 as a means of commemorating the centenary of the birth of the late Tip O’Neill who served as speaker of the US House of Representatives. His maternal grandparents were native to County Donegal. Tip’s son Tommy O’Neill, alongside his wife Shelly O’Neill, return home to Donegal each year for the awards ceremony.
The Tip O'Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2026 will take place on Friday, 25th September, at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana. We will celebrate Kate Barton & Brendan 'Tiny' Vaughan for 2026.
Kate is the Global CEO of Dentons, the world's largest global law firm. She leads the firm’s global strategy and operations, with a focus on delivering consistent, high-quality client service, developing and retaining top talent, and driving growth.
Kate serves on the board of SharkNinja, a NYSE-listed company, and supports several nonprofit organizations, including the Ireland Funds, the All Stars Project, the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, and Catalyst. Kate also serves on the Boston College Law Deans Advisory Council and the Boston University School of Management Advisory Council.
Prior to joining Dentons, Kate held senior global leadership roles at EY, including Global Vice Chair of Tax, where she was a member of the firm’s Global Executive Board. She is widely recognized for driving innovation, leading large global teams, and shaping strategy across complex international organizations.
Kate received a B.S. from Boston University, a J.D. from Boston College Law School, Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. Kate has attended the Executive MBA programs at the Kellogg School of Management and Harvard University. She is NACD Director Certified and is qualified to serve as a financial expert under SEC, NYSE and NASDAQ rules.
Brendan ‘Tiny’ Vaughan is honoured to be named as a recipient of the 2026 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award, in recognition of his outstanding dedication to community, charity and the enduring spirit of the Irish diaspora.
A native of Carrigart, Co. Donegal, Brendan is one of eleven children. He left home for London in 1982, where he began his career in the construction industry and has spent the past decade working as a shuttering carpenter with Keltbray. He quickly became a valued member of the Irish community through his involvement with Tir Chonaill Gaels GFC and his passion for photographing Irish sporting, cultural and community events. A dedicated GAA man, his love of Gaelic games also took him to Boston in 1987, where he lined out for Galway. Throughout his years living and working in London, Boston, Paris and Berlin, Brendan has never lost sight of his Donegal roots, carrying with him a deep love of home wherever life has taken him—a pride and sense of identity he has proudly passed on to his children.
His passion for photography inspired one of his most enduring legacies. In 2011, following the passing of his mother, Mary, who had received exceptional care at Donegal Hospice before her death in 2010, Brendan established the Donegal Hospice Calendar in her memory. With the support of Seamus Quinn and Tim Kelly, together with the generosity of sponsors throughout the Donegal and London business communities, the initiative has raised approximately €240,000 for the hospice.
Brendan's commitment to helping others has never wavered. In the aftermath of the devastating Inishowen floods in 2017, he organised a raffle for a sponsored Ford Focus, raising €31,500 for those affected. He remains especially grateful to Tim Kelly of Kelly Group London for generously donating the vehicle.
He subsequently led fundraising campaigns for two young cancer patients—Rocco McGinley through Rocco's Road to Recovery and Ellie McHugh through Ellie's Wish to Walk—raising more than €40,000 for each to support their treatment and give their families hope at a critical time.
Following the tragic explosion in Creeslough in 2022, Brendan coordinated the sponsorship and raffle of a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor, generating almost €50,000 for the voluntary emergency services whose courage and professionalism proved invaluable in the aftermath. Beneficiaries included Critical Emergency Medical Response (CEMR), K9 Search and Rescue, SARDA, Mevagh Fire Service and Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. More recently, he joined forces with Highland Radio's Lee Gooch, Dennis Ferry and Leslie O'Donnell in the successful Driving for Zach and Cassie fundraiser.
Perhaps Brendan's greatest achievement is his involvement in founding the London Irish Vintage Club in 2011. What began as a gathering of vintage enthusiasts has evolved into one of the annual highlights of the Irish calendar in London, attracting thousands of visitors each year to its Charity Vintage Day which has raised more than £1 million for worthy causes across Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Throughout his fundraising journey, Brendan has always recognised that none of these achievements would have been possible without the extraordinary support of others. He is deeply grateful to the Irish community in London and beyond, whose generosity, loyalty and friendship have underpinned every initiative. He also acknowledges the unwavering support of Highland Radio, the Donegal Democrat, Tir Chonaill Tribune and the wider media, whose encouragement has helped shine a light on the causes closest to his heart.
Above all, Brendan accepts this honour not simply as a personal recognition, but on behalf of everyone who has volunteered, donated, sponsored, promoted and stood alongside him over the years. Their collective kindness has transformed countless lives and exemplifies the very best of the Irish community, both at home and abroad.
Although London has been good to Brendan, he has never forgotten where he came from. No matter how far life has taken him, Donegal has always been—and always will be—home.
